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Photo Friday: All Aboard for Sonoma Train Town

November 6th, 2009 by bsmith | 8 Comments | Filed in Smith Family Adventures, Uncategorized

train-town-sonoma

 

Sadly, as my youngest turns five next month, our family is reaching the end of an obsession with trains that lasted more than a decade.  However, a trip to Sonoma Train Town and a ride on the minature train there, showed me that even when kids “out grow” trains, there is something about a train ride that reawakens the kid in all of us.  One of the highlights of our visit was a stop at a kid sized town.  Here is some goofy moments from our layover.

caught-in-the-act-train-town-sonoma

justin-in-jail-train-town-sonoma

Here is a glimpse of the village from the train.

train-village-train-town-sonoma

Here’s the fun life sized rail car with old school video games:

train-car-arcade-train-town-sonoma

If plan to visit the Wine Country with your family Sonoma Train Town should be at the top of your list for family friendly destinations.  For more information on days Train Town is open click here. 

Family Adventure Guidebooks is a proud participant in Delicious Baby’s Photo Fridays.  For great pictures of her Seattle Halloween adventures click here.

Happy Trails!

Bridget

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Travel Bargain: Kids Visit San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for Free in October!

October 2nd, 2009 by bsmith | 3 Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Hi All,

The photo upload function on my Wordpress blog isn’t working, so there will be no Photo Friday Post this week.  If anyone has a solution to this problem let me know!

In the mean time I am heading to the San Diego Zoo tommorrow.  We are bringing five kids ages 13 months, 4, 4, 5, and 10 so wish us luck!  Seriously I can hardly wait.  I chose this outing for my out of town friends because kids get in free in the month of October.  Zoo membership is cheap and tax deductible, so we may go ahead and get the family membership and use the free tickets on another day.  If you are visiting San Diego this October, be sure to take advantage of this amazing travel deal!

Tommorrow is the last day of my Legoland pass giveaway.  We will be choosing a winner on Sunday.  I was going to post a picture of the name being pulled out of a hat, but without photo upload capability you may just have to trust me. 

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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State Park Sunday: Good News for California State Parks?

September 27th, 2009 by bsmith | 3 Comments | Filed in State Park Sundays, Uncategorized
Save Our State Parks Booth, Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz

Save Our State Parks Booth, Wilder Ranch Santa Cruz

 

I have good news this State Park Sunday.  The governer has  decided not to close any California State Parks.  The budget cuts will still take their toll on the parks however in terms of loss of staffing and reduced hours.  This could continue to endanger the safety of the parks and the economic health of their surrounding communities.

Here are two different takes on what the Governer’s announcement means for the state parks.

California State Parks Foundation Press Release

Union Tribune Article

No doubt about it, a rough road lies ahead for the State of California and it’s State Parks.  User fees are going to be more important than ever, so have a picnic, go camping, and keep letting Sacramento know that you support a state access pass.  Get out and enjoy these great State Parks before the governor changes his mind!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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State Park Sunday:Angel Island State Park

September 12th, 2009 by bsmith | 2 Comments | Filed in State Park Sundays, Uncategorized

As a rule, I like to include pictures in these State Park Sunday posts.   Because I haven’t been to Angel Island since I  was about 10 years old I have none to share.  I can’t say that at the time it made a great impression on me.  I remember feeling privileged to see a Century Plant in bloom.  (Now I know that it does bloom more than once a century!)

A little later, however, I had a chance to learn more about the rich and tragic history of this state park.  Now I think  it is one of California’s most important state park treasures.  I was glad to hear that the federal government was considering transitioning this to a national park in case Angel Island was on the state park closure list.

This park is often called “Ellis Island of the West”.  However, unlike Ellis Island who welcomed most immigrants to U.S. shores this park was something more sinister.  As I did some background research on the Chinese immigrant experience for an ESL lesson on the book Dragon’s Gate by Laurence Yep, I discovered that Chinese immigrants were detained on Angel Island for many months, even years.

This island was also a temporary home for Japanese and German prisoners of war.  In the 1920’s it housed Japanese picture brides.

Immigration fascinates me.  My Irish ancestors arrived at Ellis Island at the turn of the century then made their way to California.  I want my children to understand their ancestor’s immigrant experience, learn more about how other immigrants have been treated by our country in the past, and show compassion towards the modern immigrants who live among us.  Hopefully, when we are ready to make the trip to Angel Island State Park, it will be open and ready to receive us!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

P.S.  I’m digging this cross cultural adventure out of the archives to share with my friends  at Trekaroo for  Spotlight Thursday.  Stop by for more great adventures with kids from across the country.

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State Park Sunday: SOS

August 9th, 2009 by bsmith | 1 Comment | Filed in State Park Sundays, Uncategorized

Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, Ca

Last night I had a dream that I was making an impassioned plea for the California State Parks.  This morning  when I awakened I realized that, although I have a huge day in store, I couldn’t let another Sunday pass by without sharing with you the potential park closures that will be happening at the end of the summer.

So far it is looking like the California legislators have cut the State Park budget to the point that 100 parks will be closing afterLabor Day.  I am gravely concerned of the implications this will have for our public land, the economy of our local communities, and our children’s access to the natural world.  The parks are fragile just like the natural rock formation that you see above.  When I arrived at UC Santa Cruz in 2001, there were two such natural bridges.   Now the waves and storms have destroyed one…one remains.  

As citizens of California we cannot sit by and let the budget waves wash away these precious treasures of our state.  Today I am hoping for a miracle, park/business partnerships, a state park access pass, there must be a way to turn this around.

Let’s continue to do what we can to change our State Park’s future.  Visit the California State Parks Foundation and learn how you can make your voice heard.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Mondays are For Dreaming: Where to this Thanksgiving?

August 3rd, 2009 by bsmith | 5 Comments | Filed in Mondays are for Dreaming, Uncategorized

My husband had the chance to stay at Holiday Inns this summer for a number of nights for work.  This summer they are running a fabulous promotion, for every two night stay you  and get a third night free before December 26th.  The beauty of this promotion is that you can stay at any IC  Hotel Group Hotel for free, not just a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express.  You can even stay internationally!  As a consequence we have spent too much time thinking about travel at our house.

Should we take a local road trip to Tahoe or San Francisco?  Should we get away somewhere warm and exotic?  Should we take the leap into international travel with our three young children?  The possiblilities are endless as are the opportunities to spend money.  We need to be careful, that our “free hotel rooms” don’t lead to a trip that breaks the budget.

We toyed with the idea of Costa Rica (definately my first choice!) or perhaps a fun island like, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, or Puerto Rico.   So far it looks like we may be settling on Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  They have a Presidente Resort there. We won’t be spending to0 much time in a plane, and I’ll get to practice my Spanish :) .  Now comes the hard part: finding affordable plane tickets, researching fun things to do, not going too crazy with expensive activities, and of course making sure that our trip doesn’t trigger any hotel black out dates.

If all goes well, we may be swimming with the dolphins and boogie boarding at the beach on Turkey Day.  Funny, my kids have told me that they would rather be skiing.  Still, I have no doubt they will enjoy our Mexican adventure.

Has anyone been to Puerto Vallarta with kids?  I would love to hear about it!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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In Memory of Deana Reynolds

July 27th, 2009 by bsmith | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

My friend Deana passed away today.  She was a very special person, and I was lucky to know her.  She was a tireless advocate for adoption, mother to two beautiful boys, and a friend and mentor to all who knew her.  When I asked friends to help edit my book she was my first volunteer and did so in the hospital soon after she was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma.

I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts that her husband posted on her Caring Bridge website tonight.    They are important lessons learned from an amazing woman.

1.  Have blood or platelets?  Donate them.  There is no greater gift you can give another human, but a chance at life.

2.  Hug your family.  Do it often and for no reason at all.  You will all feel better.

3.  Family and friends are everything.  Without them one is lonely.  With them at your side, ALL things are possible.

4.  Never, ever quit.  No matter what, rise to the occassion.  It’s what makes life worth living.

Happy Trails, Deana. 

You  will be missed.

-Bridget

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Photo Friday: Ethel M Chocolate Factory, Las Vegas

July 17th, 2009 by bsmith | 4 Comments | Filed in Las Vegas Adventures, Uncategorized
Jared and his Green Friend

Jared and his Green Friend

It has been a hot week here in Las Vegas.  Before you think I was absolutely crazy to plan a trip out here this time of year (and perhaps I was!) my husband had a business trip so we decided to tag along. 

Enjoying Las Vegas in 112+ degree weather has required some creativity.  We spend more time just hanging out in our wonderful hotel room at the Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas then we usually do on such adventures.  We swim in the evenings and spent a morning bowling in an air conditioned casino.

The first day of our trip I had the crazy idea to drive out to Henderson and take the Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour.  The tour, frankly, was a bust.  Although we arrived at 1:30 the workers must have been home on break or gone for the day.  The factory was almost deserted.  I enjoyed seeing all the machinery and redeemed myself in the eyes of my children by buying overpriced chocolate bars.   They were delectible.

Chocolate Delights

Chocolate Delights

Here are some photos of the cactus garden.  I enjoyed it immensely despite the heat.  The kids were another story:

Lone Cactus

Lone Cactus

 

Happy Trails, Las Vegas

Happy Trails, Las Vegas

Some of my fellow travel bloggers are heading to TBEX and BlogHer in Las Vegas.  Sadly, my travels are mostly over for the summer, and I won’t be joining them.  If you are looking for some virtual travels, check out Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday  .

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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State Park Sunday: Independence Day at Wilder Ranch State Park

July 5th, 2009 by bsmith | 2 Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

My dream of many years came true this 4th of July.  I had the opportunity to celebrate with family and friends at Wilder Ranch’s Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration.  We partied like it was 1909!  Here are some photos from this marvelous day.

suffragettes-ii

These Lovely Ladies Welcomed Us to the Park

jared-and-fan

Jared Shows Off The Fan He Made

Flag Raising

Flag Raising

Blacksmith, Wilder Ranch State Park

Blacksmith, Wilder Ranch State Park

Wilder Ranch Ice Cream

Wilder Ranch Ice Cream

Wagon Ride, Wilder Ranch

Wagon Ride, Wilder Ranch

Wilder Ranch Independence Day Parade
Wilder Ranch Independence Day Parade
Wilder Ranch Bakers

Wilder Ranch Bakers

This post is part of a series called State Park Sundays here at Family Adventure Guidebooks.  Wilder Ranch, like many California State Parks may be closed due to budget cuts.  The California State Assembly is trying to get a State Access Pass billed passed.  This pass would give free park entry to all California drivers in exchange for a $15 license fee.  Almost every Californian I have spoken to thinks it’s a great idea, but the governor has threatened a veto and the Senate did not pass it. 

The baker lady featured above and I agreed that perhaps a voluntary State Park Access Pass might solve at least part of the budget short fall.  Under this plan, Californians could choose to pay the $15 fee and only those who paid the fee would receive unlimited state park access.  I’ve done some research and this strategy has been very successful in Montana.  A majority of Montana residents currently pay the fee.  For up to the minute information regarding the budget situation and California State Parks, please visit the California State Parks Foundation.

Wrapping up State Park Sunday’s Independence Day edition, I wanted to share these lovely young ladies who were eating homemade icecream and manning the Save Our State Parks booth.  We are fighting for these children’s future access to California’s State Parks.  Let’s keep the pressure on Sacramento!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

Save Our State Parks, Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz

Save Our State Parks, Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz

Photo Friday: Roadtrip Through My Daughter’s Eyes

June 25th, 2009 by bsmith | 8 Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

On my latest road trip I learned a valuable lesson, never leave your purse where your preschoolers can access it.  I had shoved my purse behind the center console of my SUV, only to discover that my five year old, Destiny had found my camera and taken 50+ pictures.  (Good thing it was digital!)  At first I was rather dismayed, but as I took a look, I got a fresh perspective on our 400+ mile trip from San Diego to Santa Cruz.

So here is Destiny’s Photo Essay:

Justin loved riding up front.  He talked my ear off.

Justin the Navigator

Justin the Navigator

Sights Along the Way:
Oil Wells

Oil Wells

Vineyards

Vineyards

Jared made another purse discovery, a sample of bath moisturizer.  It ended up all over him and other assorted items.
Jared's Discovery

Jared's Discovery

The Aftermath

The Aftermath

The end of the road… 
Dennis the Menace Park
Jumping Justin
Jumping Justin
Destiny on Sunshine Bridge
Destiny on Sunshine Bridge
Mommy and Jared Conquer the Train
Mommy and Jared Conquer the Train
Happy Trails.  Have a great weekend!
-Bridget                                                  
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